The Sweeper: A fundamental shift in the landscape of North American soccer

“My e-mail box is full with executives at other European clubs saying, ‘I can’t believe this is happening’. It marks a fundamental shift in the landscape of North American soccer.

“It’s a big coup.”

That’s Vancouver Whitecaps’ co-owner Jeff Mallett talking about the hiring of a little-known English soccer executive, Tottenham Hotspur executive director Paul Barber as their new CEO. Yep, that’s the news which according to the Vancouver Sun “is making headlines the world over.” Uh, right.

Still, it is interesting and somewhat significant in the soccer business world that a young executive on the rise at an elite club (the world’s 11th richest, with Barber having headed up the club’s commercial rise for four years) should leave for an opportunity in North America. It might not have the glamour of a Beckham, but business-wise it does indicate a recognition of the growing opportunities here. Now, somebody will have to break the news about the NASL to Mr. Barber. . .

Worldwide News

Liverpool may have crashed out of the Champions League at the group stage, but don’t worry says their managing director Christian Purslow, they can still hit their budgeted performance target. Many of the British hacks are a lot harsher, with Richard Neale in the Times summing up Liverpool’s poor overall record this season (9-8-3), and Henry Winter pointing out that given this is a game of football we’re talking about, the emotional cost of Liverpool’s early exit is the greatest.

Portsmouth’s sacking of Paul Hart may not have been surprising, but the general mis-management of the club and what the Independent call the “disgraceful” treatment of Hart on the day of his firing may mean sensible candidates stear clear of this train-wreck.

The shambles that is England’s World Cup bid is rather gleefully picked over by the press (The Times on England’s new World Cup bid slogan: ‘We hate each other’s guts over here — but please vote for us anyway.’), with Paul Kelso saying that “Only in England could a bid with such manifest advantages — great stadiums, passionate fans, globally revered league — be derailed by an inability to rise above personal agendas and in-fighting.”

More details are coming out over the purchase by Toronto developer Andreas Apostolopoulos of the Silverdome in Detroit: the unlikely prospect of Major League Soccer showing up at the 88,000 capacity venue is still on the table.

That is a great! Wonder what his deal is with the club? Does he have an equity stake?

November 25, 2009 at 10:36 amDave

MLS in Detroit seems like a non-starter, given how apocalyptic that city’s economy has become. He’d be better off imploding the Silverdome and building something new that can create some jobs on that land.

Good question, Jared. I’m going to try to get hold of him as it would be interesting to learn more about his motivation (money aside…).

Dave, it does seem like quite the foolhardy venture, but I guess it’s a good sign for MLS that random developers think it could even work in Detroit.

November 25, 2009 at 1:07 pmMicah

Detroit is a good sports town. I’m glad someone wants to put a team into the area. Economic woes have caused drops in sporting attendance but soccer is a great cheaper option for the sporting fan. It could work but the Silverdome is easily the worst choice for soccer stadia in Michigan let alone Detroit.

November 26, 2009 at 3:44 amDave

Barber was also head of commercial development at the FA in the early 2000s.